COLORED SOLDIERS.
In this chapter we introduce to our readers Lieutenant Charles Young, who is the second colored graduate from West Point. He was for some four years Professor of Military Science and Tactics at Wilberforce, Ohio. Mr. Young, as can be seen from his picture, is a man of splendid military appearance, and is regarded by all who know him as a most excellent young man. It is well known that in our Civil War the colored soldiers made a reputation for themselves as brave men. It has not, as yet, been much written about by those who have given a history of that war. But merit will win and become known in time. I reproduce here mention made of colored soldiers by General Guy V. Henry, U. S. A., himself a veteran soldier, who, in a recent report, speaking of colored American troops, says: "In garrison they are clean, self-respecting, and proud of their uniform; in the field, patient and cheerful under hardships and privations, never growling or discontented, doing what is required of them without a murmur."
LIEUTENANT CHARLES YOUNG.
I also give an article that appeared in the Pittsburg Times relating to the colored troops in our late war with Spain:
"Amid all the praise that has been bestowed on our fighters on land and sea since hostilities began but little has been said of the colored troops, of whom there were several regiments in the thick of the fighting around Santiago. When the Rough-Riders received their baptism of fire the country rang with their praises, but few paused to note that the colored troops fought side by side with them with equal bravery, and, in fact, rescued them from their perilous position. In the subsequent fighting at El Caney and at San Juan, before Santiago, they were second to none in the bravery of their fighting and in the intrepidity of their charges. They met the deadly rain of bullets as unflinchingly as the best of their white comrades, and, in proportion to their numbers, they furnished as numerous victims to the missiles of the enemy as any of the other commands. Under their dark skins was the same warlike and patriotic spirit that throbbed in the nerves of their paler fellow-soldiers.
"On that field they once more vindicated the wisdom that has given them citizenship, and showed that they are made of the stuff which constitutes the modern American and causes him to be respected and admired. No men ever fought for their country more bravely than did all the men who were engaged at Santiago, and among them all none exceeded the colored men in all the attributes of true soldiers and patriots. They were there, Americans of the Americans, battling for their country, and the difference in the color of their skin made no difference in the quality of their courage or service. It is to be hoped that when all come to thoroughly understand the quality of the negro as a soldier a little more consideration may be paid to his rights as a citizen."